Press Release

Issued by UAS International Trip Support.

April 1, 2014

United Aviation Services (UAS), a preferred provider of international trip support services for flight operators, vip and government officials, has undertaken a major push to enhance its local presence and service across Africa. In addition to opening a continental headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, it has opened regional offices in the key cities of Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya. It is anticipated that UAS' aggressive development plans in Africa, will help bridge the service gap between China and Africa and create opportunities for business aviation to prosper in both these fast-track economies. 

In February 2014, UAS announced the expansion of its presence in China with the formation of a locally based client support team. “We already have a big presence in China” said Mohammed Husary, UAS co-founder & executive president. “Everyday we handle 25 to 50 aircraft into and out of the country. Part of our growth plan is to have a regional headquarters in China, similar to those we have in Houston and now Johannesburg.” UAS's plan to launch a headquarters in China, coupled with its extensive network in Africa, will position the company to better support flights between the two regions.

Supporting flight operations from China to Africa

Strengthening economic ties between African countries and China has generated a surge in air traffic between the two regions. In some countries and many remote areas, however, the traffic has outpaced the aviation industry's ability to keep up. A 2013 National Business Aviation Association report points out that China and Nigeria are the two fastest-growing business jet markets in the world, with six non-commercial jet terminals being built in Nigeria to accommodate the forecasted demand. 

“This is where UAS comes in,” says UAS co-founder and executive president Mohammed Husary. “Having runways and infrastructure in place is a great start. But to make things work in Africa, you need skilled professionals on the ground who are ready for anything. As connected as the world is (or should be), there is a lot of information that never makes it online. Sometimes it is weather; sometimes changes to permit or visa requirements; sometimes equipment or fuel shortages. UAS agents and representatives speak the local languages, are in constant contact with authorities and vendors, and have a deep understanding of the local and regional business and aviation environments. They can often diagnose and address issues well before they become problems, thus making support a seamless experience.”

For UAS, this attention to quality is an essential part of its strategy – a strategy that is paying off. Having served more than 7,000 flights in Africa in 2013, UAS expects to grow its business on the continent by 30% this year and by 50% in 2015. The new headquarters and regional offices will manage development of that business. Led by industry veterans with more than 50 years of combined experience, the offices ensure regional and local staff is fully equipped with state-of-the-art remote communications tools, allowing for real-time monitoring of equipment and fuel availability, access to the latest NOTAMs, and instant notification of trip-plan deviations that enable staff to mitigate complications without compromising UAS's exceptional level of services. 

“Africa is such is a complex and dynamic place,” says Husary, “that it is essential to introduce the highest levels of professionalism and service from day one. UAS knows it is the gold standard and that it must deliver on its global service promise. Whether in Burundi, Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, South Africa, or someplace more remote, clients must get the same dedicated attention they enjoy in Dubai, London, Houston, Buenos Ares, and Hong Kong.” 

The UAS Africa initiative precedes the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition, which is taking place on April 15-17, in Shanghai, China. UAS will be on site as part of its commitment to shared goals: providing air access to remote communities; supporting the travel needs of many types of companies; and ensuring flexibility and efficiency. In so doing, it aims to become the preferred provider of international trip planning and support services to corporate flight operators, charter operators, and private vip clients. Services include:

• Global flight planning and weather services

• Quality ground handling services

• Short-notice overflight and landing permits

• Pre-arranged fuel services

• Crew and vip airport and ground assistance

• Luxury hotel accommodation and transportation arrangement

• Exclusive airport meet-and-assist services

• Gourmet catering services

UAS team members will be available to aviation professionals and members of the media at ABACE, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, stand #H214, from April 15-17.